State PCS

• 01 Jul 2024

Highest Tokens Through ABHA ID

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh has set a record by generating one crore tokens through the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID.

Key Points

• Uttar Pradesh is the only Indian state to have achieved the feat of generating a total of 1,43,00,000 tokens to date. 
  • Following Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh stands second with 60,33,104 tokens generated, while Karnataka holds third place with 42,57,944 tokens.
• The Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines, introduced in 2007 and latest update in 2022, set quality benchmarks for public health facilities from primary to secondary level health care facilities.
  • These standards ensure consistent, accessible, and accountable healthcare services nationwide.
  • The Health Ministry has created a dashboard to help national, state, and district health institutions quickly monitor compliance with IPHS standards and take necessary action.

Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

• ABHA ID is a unique 14-digit number used to link all the health records of a person. It intends to create a digital health ecosystem & aims to promote digitisation of healthcare.
• Any individual can enroll in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to generate a Health ID or ABHA, free of cost.
• Features:
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR): ABHA integrates electronic health records, facilitating the storage and retrieval of patient information.
    • This helps in maintaining medical histories and streamlining healthcare delivery.
  • Portability: The accounts are designed to be portable across various healthcare providers empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, allowing beneficiaries to access services seamlessly, regardless of their location.
  • Transparency and Accountability: By promoting digital transactions and maintaining electronic records, ABHA enhances transparency and accountability in the healthcare system.

River Linking Project

Why in News?

Recently, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Chief Ministers signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the Rs 72,000 crore Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal river linking project in Bhopal.

• This project aims to harvest surplus water available during the rainy season in rivers in Southern Rajasthan such as Chambal and its tributaries, including Kunnu, Parvati, Kalisindh, and use this water in south-eastern districts of the state, where there is scarcity of water for drinking and irrigation.

Key Points

• The project would provide water to 13 districts in Rajasthan, and Malwa and Chambal regions in Madhya Pradesh.
  • It would also aid in irrigating at least 2.8 lakh hectares in both states, including supplementing rural tanks.
• Both the states would benefit from the river linking project, which would also strengthen the relations between the states.
• Efforts will also be made to build a corridor from Khatu Shyam temple in Rajasthan to Mahakal Shiv temple in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

Chambal River

• It originates at the Singar Chouri peak in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh). From there, it flows in the North direction in Madhya Pradesh for a length of about 346 km and then follows a north-easterly direction for a length of 225 km through Rajasthan.
• It enters Uttar Pradesh and flows for about 32 km before joining the Yamuna River in Etawah District.
• It is a rainfed river and its basin is bounded by the Vindhyan mountain ranges and the Aravallis. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh.
• The Hadauti plateau in Rajasthan occurs in the upper catchment of the Chambal River to the southeast of the Mewar Plains.
• Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, Parbati, etc.
• Main Power Projects/ Dam: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam, and Kota Barrage.
• The National Chambal Sanctuary is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. 
  • It is known for critically endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Avalanche Hits Gandhi Sarovar

Why in News?

Recently, a massive avalanche hit the Gandhi Sarovar located four kilometres above the Kedarnath Dham.

• It occurred near the Chorabari glacier that fell into the valley but there was no loss of life or property.

Key points

• The avalanche occurred in the upper region of the Gandhi Sarovar in Chorabari glacier, below the snow-covered Meru-Sumeru mountain range located at the upper end of Kedarnath valley.
• In 2022, three avalanches hit the area in the months of September and October. 
  • Five such incidents of avalanches were reported in the Chorabari glacier in May and June 2023. 
• Following this, scientists from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and the Wadia Institute took stock of the entire situation by conducting terrestrial and aerial surveys of the area.
• The team of scientists described these incidents as “normal” in the Himalayan region, but they emphasised on improving security in the Kedarnath Dham area.

Chorabari Glacier 

• Also known as the Chorabari Bamak Glacier lies in the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.
• The Mandakini River emerges from the Chorabari Glacier.

Avalanche

• An avalanche is a sudden, rapid flow of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain or slope.
• It can be triggered by various factors such as heavy snowfall, rapid temperature changes, or human activity.
• Many regions that are prone to avalanches have specialized teams that monitor and control avalanche risks by using various methods such as explosives, snow barriers, and other safety measures.

Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG)

• The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology is an autonomous research Institute of the Department of Science & Technology.
• Established in June, 1968 as a small nucleus in two rooms of the Botany Department, Delhi University, the Institute was shifted to DehraDun during April, 1976.

Master Plan to Upgrade Facilities at Badrinath Temple

Why in News?

According to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a master plan of Rs 424 crore has been prepared for the upgradation of facilities at Badrinath temple in the state.

Key Points

• Badrinath temple is situated in the town of Badrinath in the state and it is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites. 
• There are many religious sites in Uttarakhand and their location in the Himalayan region, which is ecologically sensitive, poses a great challenge for the government to address environmental concerns and the need for better facilities for the pilgrims who arrive from across the country.
• During the meeting, the Chief Minister requested that the Union Minister start the process of expanding Pantnagar Airport in Udham Singh Nagar district soon.
  • Also requested to expedite the process of granting permission for the expansion of Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and giving the airport the status of an international airport.

Badrinath Temple

• The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu holy shrines for Vaishnavas who is worshipped as Badrinath.
• It is situated along the banks of Alaknanda river, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

Free Coaching for EWS Students

Why in News?

Recently, Labor Minister Lakhan Lal Devangan announced the launch of the Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramikon Ke Bachon Hetu Nihshulk Coaching Sahaayata Yojana, targeting registered beneficiaries of the Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

• It will provide for free-of-cost coachings for the children from economically weaker sections in 10 districts across the state.

Key Points

• Under this scheme, registered workers and their children can avail free coaching for a period of 4 to 10 months, as per their educational qualifications. 
  • The coaching covers various exams including the Public Service Commission (PSC), Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board, Staff Selection Commission, and Banking, Railways, and Police recruitment. 
• Children of registered workers (who have passed away before 9th June, 2020) are eligible for this scheme as per previous notifications. 
  • While those who are associated with Nirman Shramik Mrtyu Evam Divyaang Sahaayata Yojana can also apply to benefit from this initiative.
• The coaching will be made available in hybrid mode, which will be easier for the students who wish to have the online class if they live at a distant or offline class if they wish to have the traditional face-to-face learning.
  • The ten districts include, Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Dhamtari, Rajanandgaon, Korba, Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Mahasamund.

Nirman Shramik Mrtyu Evam Divyaang Sahaayata Yojana

• It was started in 2020 by the Chhattisgarh State Government. With this scheme, families will be able to get the financial benefits after the death or disability of the construction worker.
• Eligibility:
  • Construction workers between 18 to 60 years of age will be eligible.
  • The construction worker should be registered as a beneficiary under Section 12 of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Service Conditions) Act, 1996.
• Benefits:
  • On Normal Death-  ₹ 1,00,000
  • Death on work location- ₹ 5,00,000
  • Permanent disability on work location- ₹ 2,50,000

Haryana CM Releases Benefits Under Welfare Schemes

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini released benefits worth ₹100.68 crore to 83,633 beneficiaries under three welfare schemes at Anaj Mandi in Panipat.

Key Points

• The benefits were distributed at a state-level programme under the Social Security Pension, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Housing Renovation Scheme and Chief Minister Rural Housing Scheme.
  • An amount of ₹22.59 crore was released as pension to 75,330 new beneficiaries of the Social Security Pension Scheme.
  • Under Dr BR Ambedkar Housing Renovation Scheme assistance amount of ₹15.09 crore was released to 2,003 beneficiaries for house repairs.
  • Under the Chief Minister Rural Housing Scheme, 6,300 beneficiaries of 100 square yard land each were given letters of authority and letters of financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each.

Dr BR Ambedkar Housing Renovation Scheme

• It was started in 2021, by the Haryana state government.
• The main purpose of this scheme is to provide grants for the repair of houses to all families , whose annual income is less than and equal to Rs 1.80 lakh in Parivar Pahchan Patra , whose house needs repair an amount of Rs 80000 is provided for this purpose.

Haryana Mukhyamantri Shahri Awas Yojana

• Launched in 2023, the main objective of this scheme is to provide houses at affordable rates to the weaker and low-income group families of the state.
• Under the scheme, plots will be allotted to those who do not have land to build a house.
• This will lead to social and economic development of the poor families of the state and will give them a chance to live a safe and stable life.